Ep. 66 - Fighting Hunger Through Dairy Incentives

The 33.8 million meals served each day in public schools provide a variety of healthy foods and beverages, including milk and dairy. Milk contains 13 essential nutrients that are critical to ensure children’s healthy growth and development. It is also the primary source of protein, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium for kids aged 2-18. School meals are a key opportunity for children to get important nutrients in their day, and milk is a central part of that. 

Joining us this week on The Dairy Download are two guests who help deliver the nutritious milk options enjoyed by students across the country. Flavored milk, whole milk, and 2% milk along with 1% and skim milk all offer nutrient dense options that students can enjoy. However, processors and schools continue to face difficulties in providing a full suite of milk options to their students.
 
Chuck Turner, president of Turner Dairy Farms, and Sean Steichen, senior director of strategic initiatives at Diversified Foods Inc. and NextGen Leadership Program alumni, discuss the nutritional importance of milk in school meals, the innovations in the school milk space, and why school milk is important to their businesses.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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America currently faces chronic food insecurity and many families across the country struggle with hunger every day. Dairy products are nutrient-dense, and increasing access to affordable options can increase food security for those struggling the most.
 
This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by two guests who are working to increase access to dairy with the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) program. HFMI projects provide SNAP beneficiaries with a dollar-for-dollar match when they purchase healthy fluid milk options.

Alicia Powers, managing director for Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute, and Becky Bronkema, director of merchandising for dairy and frozen foods at Meijer, dive into how this program is being implemented across the country, and how it can expand in the future.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Sporting events bring friends and family together to celebrate, cheer on your team, and serve up some delicious meals. With one of the biggest American game days right around the corner, let’s look at what is in dairy’s starting lineup for the event!

This week on The Dairy Download, we talk with two experts in marketing and brand engagement with leading dairy companies about what trends they see in the weeks and months leading up to the Super Bowl, and what products their companies are serving up this year.

Erin Price, senior vice president of marketing with Sargento, and Elena Umanskaya, vice president of marketing with Lactalis Heritage Dairy, share what opportunities around game day are most exciting for their product lines, and how marketing for sporting events can help bring delicious dairy products to more homes across the country.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Despite its recent economic woes and slowing dairy import demand, China represents an expansive market with new opportunities for long-term growth for U.S. dairy exports.

This week on The Dairy Download, we talk with two experts who have served with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to talk about where the U.S.-China trade relationship stands today, and where we might be headed in the future.

What are some of the unique challenges present in the U.S. trade relationship with China? How might the U.S.-China trade relationship change in the future? How would the dairy industry benefit from more robust trade agreements in Asia? Wendy Cutler, a former USTR negotiator, and Eric Trachtenberg, a former FAS official, provide the inside scoop on expanding dairy’s market access in China.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

As 2023 comes to a close, The Dairy Download takes a look at some of the year’s market trends, surprises, highs and lows, and dives into what we might see in 2024. How did Mexico’s strength and China’s weakness impact dairy exports? How did consumer demand fluctuate throughout the year and what did that mean for the dairy market?

Tune in to get insight from three expert panelists on what the dairy market will look like in the new year!

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Trade with India. Rising interest rates. Alcoholic dairy drinks. If it impacted the dairy industry, we covered it this year on The Dairy Download. Join our hosts for a special year-in-review episode as we take a look back at this year’s notable topics and quotable guests.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Delicious, festive, and popular – beverages like eggnog, cream, and coffee drinks see the spotlight during different seasons throughout the year. On a new The Dairy Download, two guests with an eye on the market for beverages share what beverage trends mean for dairy demand.

How does demand for dairy products shift around the holidays? Dawn Burns, marketing manager of category growth with Organic Valley, shares the ups and downs of dairy demand around the holiday season and highlights all the fun ways consumers can enjoy seasonal dairy beverages like eggnog!

Next, we hear from Doug Young, one of the founding members of the dairy cooperative Cayuga Milk Ingredients and the co-founder and owner of Spruce Cowffee and Spruce Haven Farm. Doug discusses how he sees coffee as an ideal complimentary beverage to dairy, and what the power of combining these products can mean for overall dairy demand.

The episode is sponsored by Infor.

"Infor provides dairy-specific cloud software that addresses catch weight, formula management, regulatory compliance, and delivery forecasting with full supply chain traceability. Find out how at infor.com/dairy"

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Integrity, courage, commitment – veterans of the U.S. armed forces possess unique values and skillsets that lift up the dairy industry. This Veteran’s Day, we talk with two veterans who have successfully transitioned from active duty to leadership roles within the dairy industry.

How can veterans translate their military experience into marketable skills that companies look for when hiring? What difficulties do many veterans face when transitioning to civilian work? Air Force veteran Walter McClung, now the maintenance and facilities manager at Hilmar Cheese, shares how his military background has helped him manage employees and gives his insight into what other veterans can contribute to the industry.

Next, we hear from Mark Benson, chief procurement officer and vice president of government affairs and global responsibility at Leprino Foods. Before working in the dairy industry, Mark served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he managed leadership development trainings and was responsible for procurement and distribution for his battalion. Mark shares with us how he shifted from the service to corporate America, and what lessons he has brought with him from his time in the Marine Corps.

The episode is sponsored by Infor.

"Infor provides dairy-specific cloud software that addresses catch weight, formula management, regulatory compliance, and delivery forecasting with full supply chain traceability. Find out how at infor.com/dairy"

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Skim milk, or whole? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has long held that Americans should limit saturated fats from dairy products for a healthy diet. But does that recommendation conflict with the latest science on dairy fats? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we talk with two nutrition experts about current efforts to update dietary guidelines and where fat-filled choices fit in.

First up is Dr. Linda Snetselaar, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, as well as the chair of preventative nutrition education and director of the university’s nutrition center. As a member of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, Dr. Snetselaar helped guide our current understanding of good nutrition. Where does dairy fit into those recommendations? What changes to the guidelines may be ahead, particularly when it comes to full-fat options? Dr. Snetselaar tells us more.

Next, we speak with Dr. Ian Givens, a professor of food chain nutrition at the University of Reading in the UK, and the director of the university’s Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. What impacts do dairy, meat and other animal-based foods have on the prevention of disease? Could cheddar cheese benefit heart health? Might your breakfast food choices reduce the chance of developing dementia? Dr. Givens sheds light on the pros and cons of high-fat foods.

The episode is sponsored by Fogg Filler.

"Fogg has been providing rinsing, filling, capping, sorting, and sanitizing equipment for the dairy industry for more than 65 years. From single-serve to gallon bottles of milk, cream, and kefir, Fogg can fill it. Visit go.foggfiller.com/dairydownloadpod and see how we can provide bottling equipment for your dairy application."

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Questions or comments about the show? We want to hear from you.

Send a note to dairydownload@idfa.org and your feedback could be included on a future episode.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

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Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

From Mexico to the Middle East, people around the world enjoy dairy products exported from the U.S. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with Alexis Taylor, USDA under secretary for trade and foreign affairs, about her role in keeping the U.S. a go-to for international dairy business.

In an in-depth interview, Under Secretary Taylor tells our hosts more about the current global trade landscape. How are U.S. officials working to rectify issues with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement? What steps are being taken to establish stronger trade ties with India? And what can we expect from the Biden Administration in the coming months when it comes to trade policy?

We discuss those topics and more.

The episode is sponsored by Infor.

"Infor provides dairy-specific cloud software that addresses catch weight, formula management, regulatory compliance, and delivery forecasting with full supply chain traceability. Find out how at infor.com/dairy"

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Questions or comments about the show? We want to hear from you.

Send a note to dairydownload@idfa.org and your feedback could be included on a future episode.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org.

Like the show?
Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!